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Lot Essay
This vase is derived from a plan for a dragon-handled vase in a series of designs supplied for the Jardin Haut; the Parterre du Midi in the gardens of Versailles. Originally designed to be executed in silver by Claude Ballin (d. 1678), Louis XIV's goldsmith, due to the high cost of the war in Flanders, the original was cast in bronze between 1660 and 1680.
Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles were inspired by the myth of Apollo, as personified by the King who was dubbed Le Roi Soleil, which explains why the sides of the vase are decorated with scenes from the myth of Apollo.
With the exception of bronze copies at Versailles cast in 1852, Ballin's vases were to remain unique until the third quarter of the 19th century, when the 4th Marquess of Hertford (d. 1870) had copies cast for his estate Pavillon de Bagatelle.
Louis XIV's gardens at Versailles were inspired by the myth of Apollo, as personified by the King who was dubbed Le Roi Soleil, which explains why the sides of the vase are decorated with scenes from the myth of Apollo.
With the exception of bronze copies at Versailles cast in 1852, Ballin's vases were to remain unique until the third quarter of the 19th century, when the 4th Marquess of Hertford (d. 1870) had copies cast for his estate Pavillon de Bagatelle.